The details you provide during the assignment setup process serve as the foundation for our AI to generate precise and contextually relevant feedback and grading suggestions. One frequent inquiry we get from educators revolves around best practices for enhancing these inputs to fully leverage TimelyGrader’s capabilities.
If you’re exploring this topic for the first time, we highly recommend reading our introductory article which provides an overview of the various inputs along with practical advice on how to refine them for AI. Beyond core elements such as the assignment's title, description, and rubric, you can significantly enhance the precision and relevance of feedback and grading suggestions by providing “additional instructors for the AI” tailored to your specific requirements and the intricacies of your course(s).
At first, the scope of "additional instructions" might seem broad, leaving you wondering what types of specifications are helpful to include. Today we’re going to do a deep dive into this section offering best practices and examples to help you get the most out of our tool!
Here are a few examples of areas where additional instructions may be required for AI feedback:
🔎 Providing Additional Context
You can use this section to provide contextual information that enhances the AI's understanding of the assignment. For instance, you might specify the key themes discussed in class, relevant course materials, or overarching learning objectives that are not specifically referenced in the rubric or assignment description.
Example: "This assignment builds upon our recent discussions on the impact of globalization on local economies. Make sure students discuss how global economic trends intersect with regional dynamics when analyzing the case studies provided."
🎯 Emphasizing Critical Areas
While rubrics and the assignment description offer a structured framework for assessment, there may be certain aspects of the assignment that you want to emphasize further. Whether it's the incorporation of research, depth of analysis, or clarity of argumentation you can highlight these critical areas in the additional instructions section.
Example: "While all sections of the rubric are important, special attention will be given to the depth of analysis in the 'Argument Development' category. Ensure that student’s arguments are supported by relevant evidence and consider counterarguments to strengthen their position."
❗Addressing Common Pitfalls
Additionally, you can anticipate common challenges students face and guide the AI on how to address them. For example, you might highlight the significance of proper citation practices or the need for cohesive source integration, enabling the AI to offer targeted feedback in these areas.
Example: "Students often struggle with synthesizing information from multiple sources cohesively. Look for instances where students may have difficulty integrating research findings into their arguments seamlessly. Provide suggestions for improving transitions between ideas and ensuring the coherence of the overall argument."
Next, let’s look at examples of areas where additional instructions may be required for AI grading suggestions.
You can refine the grading process by providing specific instructions and requirements tailored to your grading criteria. These additional instructions help the AI understand the nuances of evaluation and provide more targeted grading suggestions. Here are some examples:
⚖️ Adjusting for Varied Proficiency Levels
You may want the AI to accommodate varied proficiency levels from class to class while utilizing the same rubric. For example, if teaching an advanced-level class, you can request that the AI adjust grading suggestions to reflect the higher expectations of an advanced class, even if the rubric provided is general.
Example: “Given the advanced nature of the class, expect a higher standard of performance across all criteria. Grading suggestions should reflect the elevated proficiency levels of the students looking for detailed analysis, sophisticated argumentation, and nuanced insights.”
✅ Making Sure Students Meet Requirements
In some instances, specific components are indispensable for students to attain particular scores on the rubric. It's beneficial to articulate such prerequisites in the additional instructions section to guarantee coherence between the AI's recommendations and your criteria.
Example: "Students are required to maintain a word count under 1500 words. Exceeding this limit will result in the lowest attainable score in the 'Formatting' section of the rubric."
⚙️ Adapting to Unique Assignment Objectives
Much like with feedback specifications, you can use the additional instructions for grading section to specify any unique objectives or emphases for a particular assignment.
Example: "For this assignment, prioritize the application of theoretical concepts over extensive historical context. Grading suggestions should highlight the depth of theoretical analysis, even if it means compromising on the breadth of historical background information."
In conclusion, the "additional instructions for the AI" section(s) are your chance to tailor the AI’s feedback and grading suggestions to the unique requirements and objectives of your course, those that may not necessarily be reflected in the rubric or assignment description. Including your own detailed specifications will not only improve the quality and accuracy of TimelyGrader’s suggestions but also support a more personalized and effective learning experience for students.
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